WAIT FOR IT…

We live in a “give it to me this second” culture, where convenience is often valued more highly than quality. (Why else would people stream TV shows and films on their tiny phone screens?)

There’s nothing wrong with cultural changes, per se, but I have noticed a major shift in fiction in recent years. No longer are authors allowed to build from a quiet beginning to a dramatic finish—now it needs to be “all action, all the time.” Or at least, lots of “DRAMA!” right from the get-go.

So many times these days, when I read reviews I see something like: “It was slow in the beginning, but I did really love it by the end.” That immediately makes me WANT to read the book, because I like slow in the beginning. Not boring or poorly written, of course, but I don’t mind if an author takes their time to build and deepen characters, or immerse me in the setting, or even tempt me with slightly cryptic hints about what’s to come. I don’t necessarily want to open a book and be dumped into some “rock ‘em, sock ‘em” fight between characters I’ve never encountered before, or follow some random people escaping an explosion. I don’t know these characters yet, so why the heck would I care what happens to them?

I often feel this way about films or TV shows too. Give me context and make me care before you blow some character to bits. Otherwise, it’s just visual candy—all spectacle and no substance. Two of my favorite films, THE LIVES OF OTHERS and BABETTE’S FEAST, move very slowly in the beginning, but by the end of the movie they leave you both emotionally shattered and uplifted. Without the conscious, careful, layering of characters, setting, and meaning, the conclusions of these films would never possess the power to actually transform the way the viewer looks at things, or thinks about the world.

Consider music. A song that builds from quiet to a shattering crescendo of sound and emotion at the end is much more affecting (I think) than something that is simply loud all the way through. Great composers and performers know that varying the intensity and building toward an emotional climax is essential to creating a piece that stands the test of time.

So I’d like to encourage readers to step back and give a little time before they decide how they feel about a book. Of course, if the book is completely dull or poorly written, that’s another matter, but if the book has good qualities, give it a chance. Think of missing out on JANE EYRE or LORD OF THE RINGS or REBECCA just because those books don’t actually start with a “bang.” Allow the book to seduce you, not just overwhelm you with action, action, and more action. Give it time.

Wait for it… It might surprise you.